688 Briefly ASIA & OCEANIA
First community red panda conservation area declared in Nepal Despite the region’s ecological importance, the cloud forests of the Himalayas suffer from deforestation and overgrazing, leading to habitat fragmentation that threatens red pandas. Only 2,500–10,000 red pandas are remaining in the wild. In August 2024, Puwamajhuwa Community Red Panda Conservation Area, home to the densest population of red pandas in Nepal and to many of the plants they need to survive, was declared the country’s first official red panda protected area, marking a significant step to- wards a thriving and sustainable red panda population in the country. The conservation areawillbemanagedbythe local community, an approach that is not new to Nepal, where community-based conservation has restored andprotectedcritical ecosystemsfordecades. Source: Red Panda Network (2024)
redpandanetwork.org/post/the-first-ever- community-based-red-panda- conservation-area
Endangered Polynesian storm-petrels return to Kamaka Island Endangered Polynesian storm-petrels, ground-nesting seabirds, are returning to Kamaka Island, French Polynesia, after an absence of.100 years thanks to a success- ful restoration and rewilding project. Once widespread across the south Pacific, the pet- rel’s populations have dwindled because of invasive species such as rats. These preda- tors pose a significant threat to the survival of many seabird species, particularly on re- mote islands. The return of the storm-petrel is the result of an ambitious project that de- ployed drones to remove invasive rodents from Kamaka Island, allowing threatened birds to return to what is now a secure breeding site. To attract the Polynesian storm-petrels to the Island, the team in- stalled two solar-powered sound systems, burrows for nesting and motion-sensing cameras. The sound systems broadcast re- corded sounds from the nearby Manui Island storm-petrel colony, and the cameras document activity. After the deployment of sound systems inMarch, just before the start of the breeding season, cameras detected in- dividuals visiting one of the sites. By June, and through the remainder of the breeding period, storm-petrels were visiting areas around both sound systems and began spending time in the nest boxes. Source: Re:wild (2024)
rewild.org/press/ endangered-polynesian-storm-petrels- return-to-kamaka-island
1000th oceanic manta ray identified in the Maldives The Maldives Manta Conservation Pro- gramme has announced the identification of the 1,000th oceanicmanta ray Mobula biros- tris in the Maldives waters. This remarkable milestone highlights the collaborative efforts and dedication of the conservation commu- nity towardsunderstandingandsafeguarding these magnificent creatures. Sightings con- tributing to this impressive number have been meticulously collected by the Maldives Manta Conservation Programme through direct research field seasons, citizen science submissions, and the support of local dive centres. This comprehensive approach un- derscores the importance of community en- gagement in marine conservation efforts. Oceanic manta rays, now categorized as En- dangered on the IUCN Red List, face threats
fromtargetedandbycatchfisheries.The iden- tification of the 1,000th individual serves as a beacon of hope for this threatened species. TheMaldives now hosts the largest recorded populationofreefmanta raysMobula alfredi and the third largest recorded population of oceanicmanta rays in theworld. Source: Manta Trust (2024)
mantatrust.org/ 1000th-oceanic-manta-ray-maldives
Extinct in the Wild sihek released into wild For the first time since the 1980s, six sihek (Guam kingfishers) are now officially living in the wild, in the tropical forests of PalmyraAtoll. The birds’ successful release is the result of years of work by the Sihek Recovery Program, a global collaborative of conservationists dedicated to reestab- lishing the sihek in the wild for return to its homeland in Guam. A total of nine young birds, four females and five males, were hand-reared over several months at the Sedgwick County Zoo for this historic rewilding. Prior to release from temporary aviaries at Cooper Island, each sihek was given a health exam. A tiny radio tracker was fitted to each bird, so the project team can monitor their movements as they settle into new habitats across the atoll. Sihek are a territorial species, and the team expects the birds will establish home ranges quickly, which will also help with locating and monitoring them. The teamhope to gather data that will pro- vide insights on the species’ habitat use, foraging and breeding ecology. Supple- mental food will be available to help the birds transition to the wild. Source: Zoological Society of London (2024)
zsl.org/news-and-events/news/extinct- wild-sihek-released-wild-first-time-40- years
Australia now protects more ocean than any other country Australia now protects more ocean than any other country, with the Albanese Labor Government signing off a massive 310,000 km2 expansion of the sub- Antarctic Heard and McDonald Islands Marine Park. More than half (52%) of Australia’s oceans are now under protec- tion, exceeding the 30% target the Govern- ment signed up to as part of a UN nature treaty in 2022. The Heard and McDonald Islands marine reserve will quadruple in size and provide greater protections. The Islands are home to glaciers, wetlands, Australia’s only active volcanoes, and di- verse and significant populations of pen- guins, seals and albatrosses. The decision came after extensive consultation with re- searchers, conservationists and the fishing industry. The design supports the sustain- able, well-established fishery in the region. Source: The Guardian (2024) theguardian. com/environment/2024/oct/08/huge- environmental-win-australia-to-protect- 52-of-its-oceans-more-than-any-other- country-plibersek-says
Dead native birds and flying foxes found in south Australia town Dozens of native birds and flying foxes have been killed by acute lead poisoning in the south Australian town of Port Pirie, home to one of the world’s largest lead smelters. Locals raised the alarm when they found dead birds and flying foxes in large num- bers in parks and green spaces. Two lori- keets, a honeyeater and three grey-headed flying foxes were sent for laboratory testing that ruled out avian flu or other infectious diseases and confirmed the animals died from lead poisoning. It is unclear how many animals were affected in total, but there were 14 reports of sick and dead birds in Port Pirie during 24 July–14 September. All animals affected were nectar-feeding birds and flying foxes, which may provide some clues regarding the sources of the contamination. Source: The Guardian (2024) theguardian. com/australia-news/2024/dec/05/native- birds-flying-foxes-lead-port-pirie-south- australia-ntwnfb
All internet addresses were up to date at the time of writing. The Briefly section in this issue was written and compiled by Emma Sinnett, Julia Hochbach and Martin Fisher. Contributions from authoritative published sources (including websites) are always welcome. Please send contributions by e-mail to
oryx@fauna-flora.org.
Oryx, 2024, 58(6), 683–688 © The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Fauna & Flora International doi:10.1017/S0030605325000195
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